KALUMBILA MINERALS FIGHTS DEFORESTATION

KALUMBILAMinerals Limited has partnered with the forestry department in conserving the Lualaba and Bushingwa forest reserves in Kalumbila.

The partnership has been prompted by the influx of people into the district which has triggered the demand for charcoal, timber and other forest products.

This came to light during the introduction of eight honorary forest officers who will be manning the two forest reserves.

Kalumbila Minerals Trident Foundation manager, Joseph Ngwira, said that the role of the mining company was to provide logistical support to the forestry department.

Mr Ngwira said the mining firm was doing so in order to safeguard the environment within the catchment area.

He said the objectives of the partnership was to ensure forest conservation in order to prevent deforestation and support sustainable forest resource utilization.

Mr Ngwira stated that his company had a moral obligation to support conservation. hence the move to partner with Government.

Kalumbila District Commissioner (DC), Robinson Kalota, who was represented by District Education Board Secretary Mutinta Mubanga, said there had been a shift in terms of deforestation rate from the line of rail to less populated areas in North western province.

He said this was due to mining development in Solwezi and Kalumbila districts.